Parliament’s fire systems compliance to be checked: Mapisa-Nqakula

The Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula says an investigation to determine if fire systems at Parliament were compliant with regulations will commence once the precinct has been declared safe for inspection.

The fire caused extensive damage to the National Assembly building and office space.

Firefighters were today thanked by government officials during a ceremony at the Roeland Street Fire Station.

“Even the Department of Public Works couldn’t have access to the building. We rely on information that will come from engineers who will tell us whether in fact, we can go into the building to view what has happened there. But also you should remember, even when the firefighters have left the Parliamentary Precinct, we still should remember that that’s a crime scene, so we must be guided as to when and what we can do in that area,” says Mapisa-Nqakula.

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to assess the readiness of fire stations for wildfire season

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has thanked firefighters who battled the fire at Parliament.

Hill-Lewis also pledged the City’s support for the reconstruction of Parliament.

“What we wanted to do was to come and just say a very simple thing, thank you for going above and beyond and for doing your jobs with absolute professionalism, with dedication, with commitment to our city and to our country and for trying as best as you could to save as much of Parliament as possible,” says Hill-Lewis.

Parliament Fire | Firefighters hailed for containing the fire: